Special Report – Next Generation Vehicle Intercom Systems

Next Generation Vehicle Intercom Systems

S p e c i a l R e p o R t

Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems Today

An Uncertain Trend in a Highly Competitive Market

Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st Century

British Bowman System Finally Operational After a Chequered History

The Future, Austerity, BRIC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’

Sponsored by

Published by Global Business Media

SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION VEHICLE INTERCOM SYSTEMS


Global Business Media Limited 62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT United Kingdom

Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Email: [email protected] Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org

PublisherKevin Bell

Business Development DirectorMarie-Anne Brooks

EditorMary Dub

Senior Project ManagerSteve Banks

Advertising ExecutivesMichael McCarthyAbigail Coombes

Production ManagerPaul Davies

For further information visit:www.globalbusinessmedia.org

The opinions and views expressed in the editorial content in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which they may be associated.

Material in advertisements and promotional features may be considered to represent the views of the advertisers and promoters. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express the views of the Publishers or the Editor. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the Publishers nor the Editor are responsible for such opinions and views or for any inaccuracies in the articles.

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ContentsForeword 2 Mary Dub, Editor

Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems Today 3 Cobham TCS

Executive SummaryHelping Improve Effective Communications from Commander to Troop LevelHelping Improve Effectiveness within the VehicleThe Demand for Interoperable PlatformExpanding Communications to Dismounted Troops and Command PostsThe Future for Next Generation VIS

An Uncertain Trend in a Highly Competitive Market 7 Mary Dub, Editor

Why the Cancellations at Such a Late Stage and at Such a High Cost to Industry and the Department of Defense?JTRS Joined the List of Cancelled ProgramsWhat Does This Mean for the Future of Communication Systems for the US Army?

Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st Century 9 Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

Protecting the Military User of Communication EquipmentThe Marines Raise Critical Issues for Communications Capability in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT)The Salience of StrykerThe Certification ProcessThe Ubiquitous SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System)

British Bowman System Finally Operational After a Chequered History 11 Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

Bowman on OperationThe Threat of Cyber Warfare, Jamming and Control of Military Vehicles by Opposing PartiesNew Technologies for Development of Higher Levels of Assurance Against Cyber AttackNew Products on the Market with Higher Levels of Encryption, Security Plus the Ability to Work in Urban Terrain

The Future, Austerity, BRIC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’ 13 Meredith Llewellyn, Lead Contributor

Maximising AdaptabilityThe Lego AnalogyLooking to the BRIC Economies – Brazil, Russian, India and ChinaAdaptability, Familiar Technologies and Off-The-Shelf Plug and Play Capabilities to the Fore

References 15

WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM | 1

Next Generation Vehicle Intercom Systems

S P E C I A L R E P O R T

Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems Today

An Uncertain Trend in a Highly Competitive Market

Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st Century

British Bowman System Finally Operational After a Chequered History

The Future, Austerity, BRIC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’

Sponsored by


Foreword

The need for effective vehicle intercom

systems is critical to the effective operation

of network-enabled warfare. They deliver clarity

of communication in combat between warfighters

in the lethal risk and uncertainty of battle. And

in coalition warfare, which in the last decade

has been the norm, they allow those who speak

English as a second language to understand

precise instructions when working with soldiers of

another country.

The opening article in this Special Report looks at

the importance of Vehicle Intercom Systems (VIS)

and how they have become essential for supporting

friendly forces and minimizing battlefield casualties.

The ability of the commanders and crew to interact

with each other is a core function made possible

by VIS and is critical to the effective and safe

discharge of duties. And while audio remains the

most effective means of immediate communication

between crew members, future VIS will integrate

video capability providing benefits to commanders,

drivers while maneuvering, and mounted infantry,

prior to dismount. With forthcoming capability

enhancements, the vehicle intercom will become the

cost-effective component of the fighting system for

audio, video and data, to deliver tactical awareness.

However, need does not automatically translate

into demand in 2012, because as the second article

outlines, Congressional cuts for critical vehicle

updating programs have been the order of the day

in the United States and much of western Europe.

The lessons learned from the reasons for the cuts

have resulted in a highly qualified marketplace for

systems which include the latest technologies, but

which cannot afford to try to deliver future capabilities

that are not linked to legacy systems and a rock solid

operational performance that passes an array of

complex tests.

After a chequered history, which the third piece

alludes to, the British Bowman system is now

implemented and is picking up good reviews from

commanders and men in Afghanistan. However,

the need to meet the demands of the rising threat

of cyber warfare to embedded network systems is a

new and high priority danger to which ministries of

defence are increasingly alert. There are programs

in the pipeline to meet these threats. One of these at

DARPA is discussed.

Every prime contractor is listening and looking for

signals as to where defense capabilities may be about

to be upgraded with the new priorities that come from

Obama’s pivot to Asia and the possibility that the

Republican contender Romney may gain control of

the White House in 2013. This is the central theme of

the final article. In such a high level of uncertainty, the

defence markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China are

a source of possibility in a difficult global market. And

recent deals for vehicle intercom systems in Brazil

should be a source of optimism.

Mary DubEditor


2 | WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM

Mary Dub has covered the defence field in the United States and the UK as a television broadcaster, journalist and conference manager.



Cobham’s Vehicle Intercom Systems

www.cobham.com/tcs

The world’s leading manufacturer of Vehicle Intercom Systems with over 125,000 systems in service globally

The most important thing we build is trust

Cobham’s Intercom products provide:

• Fast,safeandsecurecommunicationstosupportvirtuallyanyplatform

• Expandablecommunicationstodismountedtroops,commandpostsandbeyondthroughEthernet/IPconnectivity

• Commonunitsformodularupgradesandcapabilityexpansionforarangeofvehiclesandconfigurations

• Easytouseandmaintaindesigns,idealforoperationsindemandingconditions

• Battleprovenandresilientwithextremelyhighlevelsofreliability

Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems TodayCobham TCS

Executive SummaryToday’s modern armed forces depend upon having access to the most advanced equipment, particularly in the field of communications. Vehicle Intercom Systems (VIS) are pivotal to providing these communications and have become essential for supporting our friendly forces and for minimising battlefield casualties.

Cobham understand the nature and requirements of these troops and end-users more than anyone. With a global installed base of 125,000 systems across six continents they truly are the specialists in the VIS field.• Enabling fast, safe, secure and reliable

communications• Permitting scalable and expandable solutions

for wider integrated tactical pictures• Increased Video and Data capabilities built

upon existing Audio communications Future systems must retain the ease of use and

ruggedness that have proved to be essential in modern operational theatres. Interfaces must remain intuitive and give access to core

functions at the flick of a switch, with hands-free operation where possible. Resilience to damage remains important, and systems with distributed functionality retain an edge in this key area.

Increased functionality will also be a key feature, particularly as the VIS will be part of a larger tactical awareness and communication system, encompassing the vehicle, its neighbourhood, but reaching back to the Battle Group, Formation, and Theatre Headquarters as necessary. Cobham’s next generation system, delivered as part of the US Army VIS-X program (now classified as AN/VIC-5), has been designed with this in mind.

Communication using Internet Protocols, remote access facilities, higher data bandwidths to permit transmission of high capacity data and video across the VIS backbone will emerge to permit fuller integration with other vehicle and C4I systems. Wireless capability will increasingly become available to add functionality, and is already integrated on Cobham’s and other systems. However, retaining the current strengths of proven VIS wired interfaces is important to

Cobham and its partners are working with customers to deliver capability

enhancements and increase the tactical awareness of our forces.

ENABLES FAST, SAFE, SECUrE CoMMUNiCATioNS.



ensure covert operation and crew confidence and system reliability.

Helping Improve Effective Communications from Commander to Troop LevelVehicle Intercom Systems provide the commander and crew with the ability to interact with each other, and with the broader tactical environment through vehicle radios and communications equipment. This is a core function that must be available at all times, and the performance is critical to the effective and safe discharge of duties.

Northrop Grumman and Cobham created a joint venture (NGCI) to support the future intercom developments, initially in response to the US VIS-X requirement. NGCI have demonstrated the core communication requirements in their AN/VIC-3, AN/VIC-5, ROVIS and TacG2 systems, offering a broad range of interfaces to third-party radios, SATCOM systems and audio equipment such as active-noise reduction headphones. VIS is all about the transmission of information, be it voice within or outside the vehicle, or from radio sources. Intelligibility and the ability to differentiate key messages in difficult environments drive the performance of troops. Cobham is in the fortunate position of being able to draw on a broad range of operational and design experience in optimising effectiveness, working with its partners.

Helping Improve Effectiveness within the VehicleCrew communications remain at the heart of

effective teamwork within fighting vehicles. The VIS is core to the delivery of this functionality, and remains an essential element of effective fighting vehicle design. The fighting vehicle is a difficult environment in many ways, as acoustic noise levels are high, vibration is severe, power supplies can be of varying quality and rotating turret slip rings introduce further constraints. Cobham brings a wealth of experience in these areas to bear in developing future VIS.

In conditions of high stress, such as when under fire or in the dark, the user interface is critical. Rotary switch or simple push button based interfaces have been demonstrated to be the most appropriate under these circumstances, and key functions must be immediately and intuitively available. More complex interfaces can be used to access functions that are required less frequently, or to expand the capabilities of the VIS, but ease of use remains a paramount requirement. These can include reconfiguration of the system to meet specific mission profiles, managing access to features and resources but retaining common training and user interfaces. A further feature that has proved of great use in the field has been a very short time to audio from switch on, as this permits rapid reaction in emergencies or in response to unexpected attacks.

Future systems will expand on existing binaural presentation of information to ease interpretation of information from different audio sources, and other techniques will emerge to draw the user’s attention to tactically important

Future systems will

expand on existing

binaural presentation

of information to

ease interpretation of

information from different

audio sources, and

other techniques will

emerge to draw the

user’s attention

to tactically important

audio messages.

CoBhAM’S VEhiCLE iNTErCoM SySTEMS ENABLE FAST, SAFE, SECUrE AND rELiABLE CoMMUNiCATioNS

For SUPPorTiNG oUr FriENDLy ForCES AND For MiNiMiSiNG BATTLEFiELD CASUALTiES.




www.cobham.com/tcs









audio messages. Systems such as Cobham’s AN/VIC-5 offer this feature, and have been designed with the spare capacity to take these innovations forward as the need evolves.

Wireless crew stations are already offered, but still retain some limitations when operating in jamming or radio silence environments. Crews must retain full confidence in their equipment, and the inherent simplicity and reliability of a cable connection remains the requirement. Developments in adaptive radio, in battery technology and in miniaturisation will make this approach more capable in the future.

The interface with the vehicle will provide enhanced operability as vehicle electronics provide additional functionality. As an example, automated warning messages will inform drivers of vehicle performance issues, drawing information seamlessly from the CANbus or similar vehicle drive system data buses. These will inform crew members of potential issues and permit risk to be assessed on the fly during missions. This information can also be routed automatically to maintenance radio networks via the VIS, allowing equipment support teams to plan ahead or to advise as required in real time. Cobham’s AN/VIC-5 system has been designed to provide the capability for easy expansion in these areas as the need develops.

While audio remains the most effective means of immediate communications between crew members, future VIS will integrate video capability, within the constraints of available data bandwidths. Given the investment in wiring and crew units, and the cost of installing different

systems into existing vehicles (an important feature in reducing overall life cycle costs of VIS systems), add-on capability to permit the transmission of video information across the existing cabling or systems would be very attractive. Such capability would permit the ready upgrade of vehicles to provide commanders with improved situational awareness while closed down, drivers with live feeds during vehicle manoeuvring, and mounted infantry with local information prior to dismount.

Cobham has exploited its strong market position on current fighting vehicles by providing direct upgrades (AN/VIC-3 to AN/VIC-5, ROVIS and LV2 to TacG2) that are backwards compatible and re-use existing cabling in the vehicles to deliver these advanced features.

The Demand for Interoperable PlatformTeamwork within vehicles, between vehicles in a tactical unit, and between tactical units is at the heart of operational success. This demands seamless interaction at all levels, and the need to interface with existing and forthcoming communications channels.

The VIS is a key element of this system of systems, and must be able to provide effective interoperability and transparency in the sharing of information. While data formats used within the VIS can be a mix of open and proprietary standards, each optimised for the particular application, future systems must be able to support high data bandwidths and communicate using internet protocols. Selection of compression and encryption must remain flexible, but military standards offer optimised performance to complement COTS options – the key is flexibility and the ability to add new modules in the future. Cobham has developed a flexible architecture in its AN/VIC-5 and TacG2 systems that maximises the appropriate use of open standards to provide this transparency and future upgrade path.

Vehicles will continue to communicate with each other and with higher formations through radios. These radios will continue to evolve and to become more intelligent in their use of the spectrum, so VIS must allow these to be managed remotely and seamlessly from C4I systems or other vehicle data storage and display systems. Separate consideration may be required for audio and data links, exploiting existing and new features in VIS to reduce overall system complexity and weight. Networks will operate at different levels of security, again placing an implicit demand on future VIS to provide adequate protection for this information as it is in transit through the system.

TyPiCAL CoBhAM iNTErCoM VEhiCLE iNSTALLATioN.



Dismounted

Commanders can

remotely access

Cobham’s VIS positions

using a range of

technologies including

field telephones, Combat

Net Radios, SIP networks

and IP devices.

Expanding Communications to Dismounted Troops and Command PostsVehicle Intercom Systems can be further enhanced by providing a link to dismounted users who require tactical voice and data communications to support operations.

Dismounted Commanders can remotely access Cobham’s VIS positions using a range of technologies including field telephones, Combat Net Radios, SIP networks and IP devices. In addition to this, the Eagle Radio, Cobham’s ad-hoc network device, provides the capability for all dismounted soldiers in a squad to remotely access the VIS, installed radios and their own intra-group radio network. This extends capability of the group without having to provide each soldier with additional radio hardware.

Interfaces to existing radios can readily be made available, but the radio must not impact on the core function of the VIS, which is to provide crew communications and access to external audio channels. Such radios should offer full duplex operation, and the ability to control and be controlled by the intercom system, if the full potential of such systems is to be exploited. System architectures can maintain the different security levels within an intercom system through appropriate design, and high-bandwidth radios, such as Cobham’s MESH, can provide full IP interoperability and access to video content for surveillance and guard functionality.

The Future for Next Generation VISFuture VIS will remain core systems within fighting vehicles, but will allow system integrators to minimise system impact and weight through incorporating additional functionality. This will require the VIS to provide high data bandwidths in addition to excellent audio capabilities, and to support appropriate protection for classified information, though none will be stored within the system itself. The VIS will be at the centre of local tactical situational awareness, providing wireless and wired interconnectivity for both audio and video, enabling vehicle crew members to access and display both types of information as required in pursuance of their tasks. Automation will increase with voice actuation and additional visual control panels complementing the current robust mechanical interfaces. Full remote control also permits integration with other vehicle C2 systems and intelligent radios.

The Vehicle Intercom is already the audio communications workhorse within the fighting vehicle, and forthcoming capability enhancements will enable it to become the cost-effective nervous system of the fighting system for audio, video and data to deliver tactical awareness. Cobham and its partners are working with customers to deliver this vision in the near future.




www.cobham.com/tcs









An Uncertain Trend in a highly Competitive MarketMary Dub, Editor

A VEhiCLE intercom Systems is a vital link to between the soldier in

an armoured vehicle and his patrol and command and control. however, despite the US Army’s commitment to Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and the British Network Enabled Capability (NEC) there is now a significant period of high uncertainty about the Department of Defense’s intentions to purchase and upgrade equipment given that President obama’s budgets have been cut dramatically by both houses of Congress in the current administration.

What does this mean for the acquisition of upgrades and new technologies, hitherto always seen as the key to dominance in the battlefield? The Congressional Research Service published a summary of the political events impacting on the defense budget over the last three years and it makes salutary reading.2 “In April 2009, then Secretary of Defense Gates announced he intended to significantly restructure the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) program. The FCS was a multiyear, multi-billion dollar program that had been underway since 2000 and was at the heart of the Army’s transformation efforts. In lieu of the cancelled FCS manned ground vehicle (MGV), the Army was directed to develop a ground combat vehicle (GCV) that would be relevant across the entire spectrum of Army operations and would incorporate combat lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan.” The tale gets worse: “On August 23, 2011, the third team vying for the GCV technology development (TD) contract, SAIC-Boeing, filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) contending that there were errors in the evaluation process.” And worse: “The Administration’s January 26, 2012, Major Budget Decision Briefing not only introduced a new Asia-Pacific

strategic focus, but also delayed the GCV program for a year due to the SAIC-Boeing protest.” This is bad news for contractors.

Why the Cancellations at Such a Late Stage and at Such a High Cost to Industry and the Department of Defense?The Congressional Research Service had an easy answer and a more difficult one: “This review found that the GCV had too many performance requirements and too many capabilities to make it affordable and relied on too many immature technologies.” Fair enough, but the real problem is a much wider one. “Under FY2013 strategic and budget plans, the Active Army will downsize by 80,000 soldiers, but most defense analysts expect even deeper cuts in end strength, particularly if sequestration of the defense budget under the provisions of the Budget Control Act of 2011, P.L.112-25, is enacted. If sequestration does occur, Secretary of Defense Panetta has told Congress, “all ground combat vehicle modernization programs would be terminated,” meaning that the GCV program would be cancelled.”

JTRS Joined the List of Cancelled ProgramsThe Pentagon’s JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload. This system, instead of requiring multiple radio types in ground vehicles, used circuit board swaps in order to upgrade – this also fell victim to the cuts. JTRS joined the Land Warrior Program on the list of closed programs.

Even the ubiquitous Humvee, which was due for a replacement in the spring of 2012, was put

‘After more than a decade of increasing defense budgets, the Department of Defense

now must plan for $487 billion in cuts over the next decade, with still more substantial

cuts possible. In this environment, the competition for programmatic dollars will

be fierce. What one observer has called “the biggest military food fight in at least a

generation” may already be underway.1’ Andrew Krepinevich and Eric Lindsey:

‘The Road Ahead’ for The Center for Strategic Budget Assessment (2012)



Even the ubiquitous

Humvee, which was due

for a replacement in the

spring of 2012, was put

on hold as the United

States strategic pivot to

the Asia-Pacific region

was announced.

on hold as the United States strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region was announced. The central issue the Obama administration and Congress and the Department of Defense have yet to resolve is what equipment will the US Army need if it is not going to fight counter-insurgencies, as it has done in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade and a half? As Todd Harrison, fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments put it when discussing the upgrade to the Humvee: “If you’re not going to be doing counterinsurgencies, why do you need a vehicle that heavily armored? It’s not clear how the Army plays in the pivot to Asia. It’s not clear what their role would be.’’

What Does This Mean for the Future of Communication Systems for the US Army?The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment summarises what the general policy for the Army should be: “that given prospective resource constraints, the ground forces should seek to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without whenever possible.” This is not exactly

good news for industry. However, contracts have been signed for strong contenders. The Northrop Grumman Cobham Team announced in May 2010 the successful integration of the Vehicle Intercom System, expanded (VIS-X) into the U.S. Army’s Stryker systems integration lab (SIL) environment at the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command in Warren, Michigan. Critically important was the VIS-X hardware that seamlessly integrated into the Stryker SIL, replacing the AN/VIC-3 intercom system. The integration demonstrated the form, fit and function compatibility of VIS-X with AN/VIC-3 and the ability to add new communications features without increasing the system footprint or re-wiring the Stryker vehicle. “During our Stryker SIL integration, we demonstrated that VIS-X reduces the total electronic box count by 30 percent and increases the number of available users, radios and alarms,” said John Jadik, vice president of Communications, Intelligence and Networking Solutions for Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self Protection Systems Division.

“Existing VIC-3 highway cables, headsets and brackets were re-used, allowing for an easy upgrade to vehicles already utilizing the AN/VIC-3 and reducing the risk associated with new vehicle implementations.” VIS-X can be used in both new production and legacy vehicle platforms, allowing the warfighter to utilize the same new equipment regardless of vehicle type or age. And the system delivers a dramatically enhanced capability: 10/100/1Gbit Ethernet, VoIP, SIP calls, point-to-point calling, multiple intercom groups, remote radio control, radio re-transmission, and alphanumeric displays and menus become available to the systems integrator and the warfighter.3

CoBhAM hAS A BATTLE ProVEN SySTEM AND AN

iNSTALLED BASE oF 125,000 SySTEMS WorLDWiDE.




www.cobham.com/tcs









Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st CenturyDon McBarnet, Staff Writer

CoMMUNiCATioNS EqUiPMENT, like much other military equipment, continues

to pass through a rapid technological revolution, where the operation of Moore’s Law, that sees the number of integrated circuits double approximately every two years, works as a powerful force for continuing upgrades to retain technological advantage. however, despite the demands for ever better software, there are high practical hurdles for providers of military intercom systems or other communication equipment to overcome.

Protecting the Military User of Communication EquipmentThe battlefield during combat is a noisy place, but for dismounted or mounted infantry the noise levels are much higher because of the persistent noise levels of vehicles which are designed for maneuverability or force protection or other factors, not a silent ride. Military vehicles can be extremely noisy working environments and noise impairs vehicle crews in various ways, for instance, through its effect on speech intelligibility and the audibility of other useful sounds. Exposure to high noise levels may, in the long run, also cause an irreversible hearing loss. An overview of interior noise levels in different types of military vehicles and aircraft shows that (extremely) high noise levels are prolific throughout the armed forces of NATO.5 During combat, crew members in military vehicles need to be able to communicate effectively and swiftly. Radio channels and intercommunication systems are relied upon to quickly and efficiently exchange information, between crewmembers and with the outside world. If speech intelligibility becomes too low, dangerous situations may arise. In coalition warfare where English may not the first language of all soldiers, clear communication becomes an even higher priority. So first class intercom systems are essential.

The Marines Raise Critical Issues for Communications Capability in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT)

“I’ll be honest with you. We haven’t solved the problems associated with urban combat. That’s a bloody one; it’s hard to solve. If it were easy we’d probably already have done it. We’re going to keep working it.” Major Lee G. Offen

Military operations in an urban terrain (MOUT) are extremely challenging especially for clear communication between dismounted members of a patrol and their vehicles. Unless this problem is overcome, the US armed forces will be at parity or even at a disadvantage in a complex 21st century urban battlefield. Researchers in the Marines identify 36 critical capabilities on their communications wish list, and three of

As military historian Michael Howard has observed, sound procurement decision

making requires a “triangular dialogue between ... operational requirements,

technological feasibility and financial capability.” 4

Despite the demands

for ever better software,

there are high practical

hurdles for providers of

military intercom systems

or other communication

equipment to overcome.



Military operations in an

urban terrain (MOUT) are

extremely challenging

especially for clear

communication between

dismounted members

of a patrol and

their vehicles.

these are highly relevant to this discussion: enhanced situational awareness for individuals/leaders in MOUT – improved squad radio – effective in MOUT; precise position location inside buildings; and a combat ID system – effective in buildings.6 And as Major Lee G. Offen describes it, the critical need is for a radio that works for MOUT. “We’re going to have to come up with a soldier intercom that can be tailored to the available parts of the electromagnetic spectrum wherever soldiers or Marines are deployed. It also has to be powerful enough for people to communicate between buildings where there’s no line of sight, but not so powerful that they become a target as a result of their own transmissions.”

The Salience of StrykerThe light workhorse vehicle of the US Army is the Stryker. The Stryker, built by General Dynamics, is designed to carry soldiers, commanders and special missions. The Stryker is deployed by the Army where its 8-wheel design allows for easy maneuverability in open terrain, close combat and urban environments. But where its aging design needs updating, this has to be done within important parameters. The procuring agencies want compatibility with legacy hardware, and software architecture, an effective bridge between classified to unclassified communications and low SWAP (Space, Weight, and Power).

The Certification ProcessNews systems produced by contractors for approval by the Department of Defense have to go through an emerging process of certification. To obtain JTRS certification, a tactical device must fulfill criteria from the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS). There are seven separate

requirements, including testing or certifications for waveform conformance and Joint Interoperability Test Center interoperability, National Security Agency information security, programmable cryptography, National Telecommunications and Information Administration spectrum compliance and Software Communications Architecture compliance. Once a product is compliant with these standards, it has a greater chance of being accepted. The Harris Corporation Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Radio achieved “JTRS-Certified” Status and therefore saw it better able to compete for contracts.

The Ubiquitous SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System)SINCGARS is a Combat Net Radio (CNR) currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. More than 500,000 SINCGARS have been purchased. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained. Vehicle-mount, backpack, airborne, and handheld form factors are available. SINCGARS uses 25 kHz channels in the VHF FM band; from 30 to 87.975 MHz It has single-frequency and frequency hopping modes. The frequency-hopping mode hops111 times a second. SINCGARS was expected to be replaced by the JTRS, but this was cancelled in 2011. There have been reports online that it performed very badly in the heat of the New Mexico desert, as well as major cost overrun problems. When the Army started evaluating the JTRS at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. the 207-pound refrigerator-size Ground Mobile Radio that Boeing developed lacked refrigeration and had a difficult time withstanding desert heat.7




www.cobham.com/tcs









British Bowman System Finally operational After a Chequered history Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

iT iS not just the United States that has problems updating communication systems

for its military vehicles on time and on budget. The damning report of the house of Commons Public Accounts Committee8 on delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CiP Programme gives an unflattering insight into Ministry of Defence bungling and bureaucratic incompetence: the chapter headings provide a scurrilous summary of their conclusions: programme governance arrangements were not fit for purpose, initial decisions were not well informed to reduce later risk including the crime of excessive optimism, through life costs were not rigorously assessed and, finally, after all the costs incurred, operational benefits are limited by reductions in the programme.9 A sorry tale summarized by Sarah McCarthy-Fry giving evidence as “The system is incomplete and inflexible, conversion of vehicles and units has been slow, troops do not find the equipment flexible and intuitive to use and substantial technical challenges still remain to be solved.”

Bowman on OperationLeaving aside the criticisms of the process of procurement and the cost and weight of the final radios for dismounted infantry, Bowman has delivered a remarkable upgrade in communication capability to the British Armed Forces. 12 Mechanised Brigade was the first brigade to be converted to Bowman and successfully completed a six month operational tour in Iraq – OP TELIC 6 – in November 2005. 7 Armoured Brigade followed on OP TELIC 7, taking its Bowman-equipped Warriors and Challenger 2 tanks. Bowman has received favourable reports from the user on operations. It provides secure data at speed: high levels of security are provided, based on the UK Pritchel crypto system together with its appliqué crypto and NATO Standard Operating Modes to allow interoperability with NATO allies. The Bowman Key Variable Management System (BKVMS) provides generation and distribution

of cryptographic key material. “Operational tempo is improved by secure, guaranteed communications, and we had that at Brigade level down to section level”, said Brigadier John Lorimer, the Commander 12 Brigade. Signalers in the Brigade Signals squadron were pleased with the reliability of Bowman, which worked well in the heat. Lt Col Ben Edwards, CO The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, speaking in BATUS during pre-deployment training, said that the clarity and distance of communication with Bowman had been “a revelation – much much better than anything we’ve had before”.

The Threat of Cyber Warfare, Jamming and Control of Military Vehicles by Opposing PartiesOne of the key criteria in updating software for communication systems of any sort in 2012 is the threat of cyber warfare or electronic warfare of any or an unknown sort. This has become a high priority under the Obama administration

Embedded software

systems form a

ubiquitous, networked,

computing substrate

that underlies

much of modern

technological society.



The goal of the HACMS

program is to create

tools and techniques that

can produce formally

verified software for

defense vehicles.

in the face of growing attacks from known and unknown agents or countries. In response to this requirement DARPA10 has come up with a new and strong program of software to combat this emerging need. Their goal is innovative research proposals in the area of the clean-slate development of software for high-assurance cyber-physical systems. Why? Embedded software systems form a ubiquitous, networked, computing substrate that underlies much of modern technological society. Examples include computer peripherals, communication devices, and vehicles. Researchers and hackers have shown that these kinds of networked embedded systems are vulnerable to remote attack and that such attacks can cause physical damage while hiding the effects from monitors.

New Technologies for Development of Higher Levels of Assurance Against Cyber AttackThe new technologies that the DARPA researchers are trying to include are interactive software synthesis systems, verification tools such as theorem provers and model checkers, and specification languages. Recent fundamental advances in the formal methods community, including advances in satisfiability (SAT) and satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solvers, separation logic, theorem provers, model checkers, domain-specific languages, and code synthesis engines all provide potential tools and new technologies for research engineers to produce assurance against cyber attack.

And of course, this threat is of particular concern to the Department of Defense (DoD) because military cyber-physical systems

are high-profile attack targets. The problem is that all communication devices such as cell phones and radios, and vehicles such as airplanes and satellites, include embedded systems. The result has been that there have been viruses and interference with a Landsat-7 earth observation satellite, and computer viruses infecting the ground-control systems of the Predator and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. Current practice for dealing with this growing threat to military capability has been anti-virus scanning, intrusion detection systems, and patching infrastructure. The goal of the HACMS program is to create tools and techniques that can produce formally verified software for defense vehicles. It will be especially important for vehicles where the risk and consequences of an attacker gaining control are high.

New Products on the Market with Higher Levels of Encryption, Security Plus the Ability to Work in Urban TerrainA light powerful efficient Internet Protocol Mesh Radio with low SWAP (Space, Weight and Power) is a new Cobham product, where the flexibility of a fluid self-healing mesh combined with non-line of sight characteristics have proved of value to military and security users. SWAP has been reduced from a large box weighing some 2.5kg and using 20W of power, to a solution weighing just 350g and using half as much power. The IP mesh radio, despite its small size, offers true fluid self-forming mesh, very simple set up, mobility and verifiable non line of sight communication. With fixed encryption and security options, it offers high levels of assured communication.




www.cobham.com/tcs









The Future, Austerity, BriC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’ Meredith Llewellyn, Lead Contributor

WiTh ThE pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, the approaching end of the

military commitment to Afghanistan in 2014, and deep cuts in current spending and future procurement, it is even more difficult than usual to look to the future. This article is written at a time when it is unclear whether obama will win a second term. if romney were to win, his commitment to increased levels of defense spending might not survive his arrival in office in 2013. in 2010 former Defense Secretary Gates warned that, in this age of austerity, the Defense Department could not afford to support programs based on overly ambitious or unrealistic assumptions regarding the maturity of key enabling technologies. The result has been that the ground forces now need to extend the service lines of existing systems and acquire off the shelf solutions, but only after spending vast amounts of time and money on overly ambitious programs that failed to meet the development timelines.

Maximising AdaptabilityHow should the Department of Defense in the United States and other European ministries of defence deal with such high levels of uncertainty? Some argue that surprise will not be entirely unavoidable, so defense planners and vehicle makers and industry need to maximize the adaptability of new and recapitalized vehicles. This will enable ground forces to hedge against the possibility, indeed the likelihood that vehicles will need to be modified or upgraded to perform new or altered missions and meet new operational requirements as they emerge.

The Lego AnalogyThe former Secretary of the Navy, Richard Danzig, offers a thoughtful analogy of how both industry and the Pentagon should think about adaptability. In “Driving in the Dark: Ten Propositions about

Prediction about National Security”11 he argues that, at the simplest level, the ideal is the Lego set with its universal snap-in interface. Lego pieces need to be matched in only three spatial dimensions…while, of course, complex systems require compatibility in many domains. Still, he favours open architecture systems and being counter-intuitive to engineers’ aspirations to add additional features. Indeed, he argues that there is a case for Antoine de Sainte Exupery’s maxim that “perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take-away.” A growth path for platforms and systems needs to be built in to cope with geopolitical and military-technical uncertainty.

Looking to the BRIC Economies – Brazil, Russian, India and ChinaThe countries where there is geopolitical uncertainty, but crucially higher defence budgets to meet the challenge are Brazil, Russia, India and China. Some analysts include South Africa in the list. What do they have in common as defence markets? Each is large both in terms of size and population, and each has an expanding economy; and finally, each is undergoing a military modernization effort aimed at preserving their strategic interests. A case in point is Brazil12 whose economy has continued to grow and, despite a small hiccup during the global economic slowdown of 2009, is expected to expand by 7.5 percent this year. As its economy has grown so too has the recognition by government officials that a major military modernization is in order if Brazil is to underwrite its claim to hydrocarbon deposits outside its traditional offshore border and gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Brazil would like to be seen as the pre-eminent power in South America. Since 2005, the Brazilian defense budget has grown by 5 percent per year and the government approved

“It’s not clear how the Army plays in the pivot to Asia. It’s not clear what their role

would be.’’ Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow, Defense Budget Studies, the Center for

Strategic Budgetary Assessments (2012)



a new national defense policy in 2008 that set aside $70 billion for re-equipping the army. And Brazilian demand is scheduled to continue to rise: Brazil has planned that its annual share of defense expenditure will rise from the current 1.5 percent of GDP to 2.2 percent by 2030. As a result of this defence growth, Thales has been able to sign a contract to sell Vehicle Intercom Systems. Thales’ Brazilian subsidiary Omnisys completed delivery of the first batch of SOTAS digital intercom systems for integration into the Brazilian Army’s Urutu vehicles, VBTP-MR Guarani and M113 armoured personnel carriers. The contract was signed in 2011 September by the Brazilian Centre of Communication and Electronic Warfare (CCOMGEX). The SOTAS system establishes an integrated end-to-end information and communication network for shared situational awareness between crewmembers inside a vehicle and externally with all in-service combat net radios and field cables. The intercom system provides situational awareness capability, and can easily be adapted and expanded at any time

due to its modular concept, without interfering with the initial installation. The system delivers multi-media inter-vehicle networking including voice, data, video communications, sharing of radios, sensors and computer resources. The vehicles can be connected in any order.

Adaptability, Familiar Technologies and Off-The-Shelf Plug and Play Capabilities to the ForeIndustry is responding fast to the austerity challenge. Northrup Grumman is selling its SIVAN (Smart Integrated Vehicle Area Network) product in a new way. The risk of excess cost and complexity have gone to be replaced by open architecture, plug and play systems, low SWAP products using current legacy hardware. The emphasis is on familiar displays, limits to the amount of training required to operate the new system, and great emphasis on improved readiness and adaptability to confirm to network-enabled capability or network centric warfare (NCW).

Defense Secretary Gates

warned that, in this age

of austerity, the Defense

Department could

not afford to support

programs based on

overly ambitious

or unrealistic

assumptions regarding

the maturity of key

enabling technologies.

CoBhAM’S VEhiCLE iNTErCoM SySTEMS ExPAND CoMMUNiCATioNS To oThEr VEhiCLES,

DiSMoUNTED TrooPS AND CoMMAND PoSTS.



references:1 HE ROAD AHEAD: FUTURE CHALLENGES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUND VEHICLE MODERNIZATION

ANDREW F. KREPINEVICH, ERIC LINDSEY 2012 Center for Strategic Budget Assessments

2 The Congressional Research Service The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Andrew Feickert Specialist in Military Ground Forces May 30, 2012

3 Northrop Grumman and Cobham websites

4 THE ROAD AHEAD: FUTURE CHALLENGES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUND VEHICLE MODERNIZATION

ANDREW F. KREPINEVICH, ERIC LINDSEY 2012 Center for Strategic Budget Assessments

5 Protecting Crew Members against Military Vehicle Noise Sander J. van Wijngaarden

TNO Human Factors PO Box 23 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands [email protected]

ABSTRACT Soo James QinetiQ Group PLC Cody Technology Park, Ively Rd, Farnborough Hampshire, GU14 0LX, United Kingdom

6 RAND The Arroyo Center, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and J8 Urban Working Group, Appendix N, INITIATIVES/TECHNOLOGY

PANEL PRESENTATIONS ANNEX 1: U.S. ARMY ACTD MAJ Lee G. Offen, USA MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN

ADVANCED CONCEPT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION

7 http://www.nextgov.com/mobile/2012/08/pentagon-shutters-joint-tactical-radio-system-program-office/57173/

8 House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts: Ministry of Defence: Delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CIP Programme

Fourteenth Report of Session 2006–07

9 House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts: Ministry of Defence: Delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CIP Programme

Fourteenth Report of Session 2006–07

10 Broad Agency Announcement: High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems (HACMS) DARPA-BAA-12-21 February 23, 2012

11 Driving in the Dark, !0 Propositions about Predictions and National Security, Richard Danzig October 2011:

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA552782

Richard Danzig an

12 BRIC MILITARY MODERNIZATION AND THE NEW GLOBAL DEFENSE BALANCE (PART 1 OF 2) By Daniel Darling

http://eurodialogue.org/bric-military-modernization-and-the-new-global-defense-balance

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networking tools.

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implications of different technical choices and select the best solutions

available.

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Special Report – Next Generation Vehicle Intercom Systems